The rain started in Utica just as the speeches began during a rally Tuesday for city fire Chief Russell Brooks. Earlier, a natural gas leak shut down one of the roads leading to the rally on Leland Avenue. Former city Mayor Timothy Julian was unperturbed. “The rain can’t stop us. A gas leak can’t stop us. We’re here for Russ,” he said to cheers from those gathered during What the Truck Tuesday, a weekly food truck event. Julian was among those who spoke in honor of Brooks, who has been fire chief for 13 of his 42 years with the Fire Department. The City of Utica placed Brooks on paid, indeterminate, nondisciplinary leave in May.